The History of FilmThe History of Film

Part One: The Silent Part One: The Silent EraEra

Rochelle ChesterRochelle Chester

20082008

Pre-1900’sPre-1900’s In the 1800’s, several “inventors” attempted In the 1800’s, several “inventors” attempted

to make pictures to make pictures movemove and experimented and experimented with various ways of accomplishing this task.with various ways of accomplishing this task.

Thomas Edison was a pioneer in this field. Thomas Edison was a pioneer in this field. The first film he produced with his The first film he produced with his Kinetograph was called Fred Ott’s Sneeze.Kinetograph was called Fred Ott’s Sneeze.

The first “movie theatre” opened in New York The first “movie theatre” opened in New York in 1894, but viewers watched films in 1894, but viewers watched films individually on coin-operated kinetoscopes.individually on coin-operated kinetoscopes.

The first film projected on a screen for a large The first film projected on a screen for a large audience occurred in Paris in 1895. Most audience occurred in Paris in 1895. Most early films were documentaries (films of early films were documentaries (films of everyday life).everyday life).

1900s1900s

Movies became popular Movies became popular entertainment in arcades, traveling entertainment in arcades, traveling fairs, and vaudeville housesfairs, and vaudeville houses

In 1902, the first permanent movie In 1902, the first permanent movie theater was built in Los Angelestheater was built in Los Angeles

Filmmakers began to experiment Filmmakers began to experiment with stop-motion photography, time-with stop-motion photography, time-lapse photography, multiple lapse photography, multiple exposures and other special effectsexposures and other special effects

In 1903 In 1903 The Great Train RobberyThe Great Train Robbery was filmed was filmed using multiple camera angles and filming scenes out using multiple camera angles and filming scenes out of sequence to be edited properly later. It had 14 of sequence to be edited properly later. It had 14 scenes and was 12 minutes long scenes and was 12 minutes long http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc7wWOmEGGY

1904: Narrative film began to replace documentaries1904: Narrative film began to replace documentaries The first Nickelodeon was opened in Pittsburg. Nickel The first Nickelodeon was opened in Pittsburg. Nickel

for the cost, Odeon meaning theatre in Greek.for the cost, Odeon meaning theatre in Greek. 1906: First full length feature film at 70 minutes 1906: First full length feature film at 70 minutes

long, Ned Kelly and his Gang, premiered in Australialong, Ned Kelly and his Gang, premiered in Australia

By 1908 there were between 8,000 and By 1908 there were between 8,000 and 10,000 nickelodeons in the U.S.10,000 nickelodeons in the U.S.

The first film makers arrived in CaliforniaThe first film makers arrived in California Actors were unknowns because it was Actors were unknowns because it was

considered degrading to act in films as considered degrading to act in films as opposed to the theatre.opposed to the theatre.

Music usually accompanied a film as there Music usually accompanied a film as there was no sound, but dialogue titles were was no sound, but dialogue titles were introduced by 1910introduced by 1910

The first movie stunt occurred: a man The first movie stunt occurred: a man jumped into the Hudson River from a jumped into the Hudson River from a burning balloonburning balloon

The first two movie magazines were The first two movie magazines were published, published, Motion Picture Story Motion Picture Story MagazineMagazine and and PhotoplayPhotoplay, and , and helped to turn actors into starshelped to turn actors into stars

By 1913 Hollywood became the By 1913 Hollywood became the center of the movie industrycenter of the movie industry

The beginning of WWI in 1914 put a The beginning of WWI in 1914 put a halt to motion picture production in halt to motion picture production in EuropeEurope

Charlie Chaplin created “The Little Tramp” for Charlie Chaplin created “The Little Tramp” for Keystone Pictures Keystone Pictures http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoKbDNY0Zwg&feature=related

Many big studios were formed by 1915: Many big studios were formed by 1915: Paramount, Universal, Fox and The Goldwyn Paramount, Universal, Fox and The Goldwyn CompanyCompany

In 1915, In 1915, The Birth of a NationThe Birth of a Nation, directed by D.W. , directed by D.W. Griffith, at 3 hours long with a cost of 2.00 per Griffith, at 3 hours long with a cost of 2.00 per ticket, was a breakthrough in film technique, ticket, was a breakthrough in film technique, narrative and acting. It was the first film to be narrative and acting. It was the first film to be shown at The White House shown at The White House http://youtube.com/watch?v=kwu_ClZEnDU&feature=related (show 1 minute only) (show 1 minute only)

By 1916, Charlie Chaplin made $10,000 a By 1916, Charlie Chaplin made $10,000 a week!week!

By 1919, United Artists Warner Brothers By 1919, United Artists Warner Brothers studio openedstudio opened

1919: First films were test-screened to get 1919: First films were test-screened to get audience reactionaudience reaction

One of the first “stories” about the stars, One of the first “stories” about the stars, which continue to drive the industry, was which continue to drive the industry, was when Douglas Fairbanks married Mary when Douglas Fairbanks married Mary Pickford after divorcing their spousesPickford after divorcing their spouses

In 1921,In 1921, Rudolph Valentino appears in Rudolph Valentino appears in The The SheikSheik and becomes cinema’s best-known and becomes cinema’s best-known lover. He died at the age of 31 in 1926. lover. He died at the age of 31 in 1926. http://youtube.com/watch?v=E97ytcgrTvs

The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) was established was created to America) was established was created to censor and review filmscensor and review films

In 1922 In 1922 Nosferatu Eine Symphonie des Nosferatu Eine Symphonie des GrauensGrauens was the first recognized gothic was the first recognized gothic vampire filmvampire film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr4lfgrAgEM&feature=related

In 1922, German Shepherd Rin-Tin-In 1922, German Shepherd Rin-Tin-Tin became the first canine film star. Tin became the first canine film star. He made 30 films He made 30 films http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao7gB0kjY_Q (show 1 minute) (show 1 minute)

Robin HoodRobin Hood opens at Grauman’s opens at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (later Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (later to become Grauman’s Chinese to become Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where the stars put their Theatre, where the stars put their hand/foot prints into the concrete):hand/foot prints into the concrete):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLILeKPcQco

In 1923, Cecil B. DeMille’s first version of In 1923, Cecil B. DeMille’s first version of The The Ten CommandmentsTen Commandments was the most expensive was the most expensive film ever made. He re-made this silent epic in film ever made. He re-made this silent epic in 1956 with Charlton Heston1956 with Charlton Heston

1: 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2MUPPfbfHg2: 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDOAEQ0Kgmc&feature=related

The Hollywood sign was built for $21,000.The Hollywood sign was built for $21,000. Walt Disney directed his first cartoon in 1924Walt Disney directed his first cartoon in 1924 The MGM studio was created, as was the MGM The MGM studio was created, as was the MGM

lion: lion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYql_9xqiYM

(PAUSE: Watch Jewish Americans DVD)(PAUSE: Watch Jewish Americans DVD)

Battleship PotemkinBattleship Potemkin, celebrating the 20, celebrating the 20thth anniversary of the Russian Revolution, is still anniversary of the Russian Revolution, is still considered one of the greatest films of all time. It considered one of the greatest films of all time. It was hailed for its montage technique (especially was hailed for its montage technique (especially in the Odessa Steps sequence, where 2 clashing in the Odessa Steps sequence, where 2 clashing film shots evoke a strong emotional response) film shots evoke a strong emotional response) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps-v-kZzfec&feature=related

It has been “copied” in tribute many times: It has been “copied” in tribute many times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIvg-pnjjmM&feature=related

In 1925 In 1925 The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the Opera was was released, starring Lon Chaney Sr. He was released, starring Lon Chaney Sr. He was known as “The Man of a Thousand faces”:known as “The Man of a Thousand faces”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzAzumHtuxU&feature=related

The Lost WorldThe Lost World premiered as the first in- premiered as the first in-flight movie. It featured pioneering stop-flight movie. It featured pioneering stop-motion special effects: motion special effects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3fdenwZ0Ys&feature=related

In 1926 the first “talkie” was debuted: In 1926 the first “talkie” was debuted: Don Don JuanJuan, starring John Barrymore. Before this , starring John Barrymore. Before this live orchestras often accompanied film live orchestras often accompanied film screenings. This time, the music and sound screenings. This time, the music and sound effects were pre-recorded. There was no effects were pre-recorded. There was no dialogue!dialogue!

The Flesh and the DevilThe Flesh and the Devil featured the first featured the first open-mouthed kiss between Greta Garbo open-mouthed kiss between Greta Garbo and John Gilbert (they were real-life lovers): and John Gilbert (they were real-life lovers): (cue to 6:00)(cue to 6:00) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKg1EWgVj-0

In 1927, The movie In 1927, The movie The Jazz SingerThe Jazz Singer with Al with Al Jolson signified the end of the silent film era. It Jolson signified the end of the silent film era. It was the first feature-length “talkie” with was the first feature-length “talkie” with dialogue! dialogue! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-WZRUIfHjo

Buster Keaton, known as “The Great Stone Buster Keaton, known as “The Great Stone Face” rivaled Charlie Chaplin as a great Face” rivaled Charlie Chaplin as a great comedic stuntman. He did all of his own stunts! comedic stuntman. He did all of his own stunts! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3xh108cLbo

In 1927, In 1927, MetropolisMetropolis, director Fritz Lang’s , director Fritz Lang’s dystopian vision of the future, featured dystopian vision of the future, featured cinema’s first android/robot and made use cinema’s first android/robot and made use of special effects and elaborate set design:of special effects and elaborate set design:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrdTdp5UF-M&feature=PlayList&p=F3AAC80014E0AC58&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and

Sciences was founded and the first Oscar Sciences was founded and the first Oscar ceremony debuted in 1929: ceremony debuted in 1929: WingsWings won won best picture.best picture.

The first Mickey Mouse film debuted The first Mickey Mouse film debuted in 1928. It was called in 1928. It was called Plane CrazyPlane Crazy::

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMoAXM96ZE0

Steamboat WillieSteamboat Willie was considered was considered Mickey’s first sound cartoon and Mickey’s first sound cartoon and probably his most famous: probably his most famous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6uzf_z_OXg

The musical film genre was founded with The musical film genre was founded with Broadway Melody:Broadway Melody: a Best Picture a Best Picture Academy award winner. Academy award winner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadcxmSUCqA&feature=related v=xadcxmSUCqA&feature=related

The Marx Brothers make a splash with The Marx Brothers make a splash with The The Cocoanuts Cocoanuts in 1929 and go on to make in 1929 and go on to make several popular films: several popular films: http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJxiI8iOV3U&feature=related v=tJxiI8iOV3U&feature=related

By 1930 the careers of several silent By 1930 the careers of several silent film stars end when it is discovered film stars end when it is discovered that their actual voices are that their actual voices are unsuitable!unsuitable!

Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:

www.filmsite.orgwww.filmsite.org

www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

www.wikipedia.orgwww.wikipedia.org